Kevin Costner’s storied conflict with Kurt Russell is getting a fresh lease as the latter is close to signing his deal with the Yellowstone spinoff series.
Have you ever witnessed the resurrection of an age-old rivalry play out in a high-stakes drama? Well, Taylor Sheridan’s new Yellowstone spin-off seems to sprinkle a dash of salt on Kevin Costner’s wound with a blast from the past.
So, the spin-off, previously known as 2024 but now tentatively dubbed The Madison, has reportedly roped in Hollywood heavy-hitters: Michelle Pfeiffer, and Patrick J. Adams. Did we forget to mention that the series is also eying one of Costner’s biggest rivals from the ‘90s: none other than Kurt Russell?
The casting of Russell is a masterstroke that rekindles an old rivalry with Costner. The two crossed paths back in the ‘90s with dueling Wyatt Earp films. Costner’s Wyatt Earp and Russell’s Tombstone were like two peas in a pod, each vying for the same audience.
Anticipating Kurt Russell’s Yellowstone Spinoff: Key Details & Fan Reactions
As Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone concludes this November, it leaves behind a trail of excitement and anticipation for what’s to come. The franchise is not merely bowing out but is instead gearing up to broaden its horizons with a new spin-off. Rumored plot details and a tantalizing cast have fans chomping at the bit for the next installment, tentatively titled The Madison.
According to TVLine’s report, The Madison is assembling a powerhouse cast that includes Kurt Russell, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Patrick J. Adams. These actors are reportedly on the brink of signing on the dotted line, promising to bring their considerable talents to the Yellowstone universe.
Production for The Madison is set to kick off later this August, with filming locations spanning Montana, New York, and Texas. Initially conceived under the title 2024 and set in the present day, the series has since been rebranded to better reflect its evolving narrative.
But the casting of Russell is a masterstroke that could reopen old wounds for Kevin Costner, as the two actors have a history that dates back to the ’90s. Costner’s Wyatt Earp and Russell’s Tombstone were like two dogs barking up the same tree, each trying to claim the definitive portrayal of Wyatt Earp.
Now, with Russell stepping into the Yellowstone ring, fans are eager to see how the old rivalry will play out in this new chapter. As fans aptly put it:
Costner, who was initially offered the lead in Tombstone, turned it down in favor of developing his own flick, which eventually became Wyatt Earp. This decision set the stage for a Hollywood showdown, with both projects vying for supremacy (see Entertainment Weekly).
Alas, Costner’s attempt to repeat his Western success with Wyatt Earp was dashed when Russell starred in Tombstone.
Kevin Costner’s Take on Wyatt Earp & Tombstone’s Historic Clash
In May 2024, Kevin Costner reminisced on the high-noon showdown between his Western epic Wyatt Earp and Kurt Russell’s Tombstone with a mix of regret and reflection.
For a quick recap: in the early ‘90s, Costner was riding high on the success of Dances With Wolves, a film that had reinforced him as a towering figure in the Western genre. Expectations for his next project, Wyatt Earp, were sky-high, with fans and critics alike eager to see his take on the legendary lawman. However, fate had a different script in mind.
The film was released a mere six months after Tombstone, a rival Western that had already staked its claim in the public’s imagination. In an interview with GQ, Costner spoke about his regrets due to the timing of the release.
I love Wyatt, or I just love that movie. We got into a level of competition with Tombstone. A good friend said, ‘Look, we can postpone this movie. We don’t wanna compete’. And I said, ‘Look,’ I said, ‘I’m sure this writer, director wants to make this movie, let them.’
Costner admitted that he wished he had heeded his friend’s advice, avoiding what he described as a “weird competition” that overshadowed the merits of both films.
Tombstone galloped to a respectable $73 million gross against a $25 million budget (Box Office Mojo). In contrast, Wyatt Earp arrived in the summer of 1994, armed with a hefty $63 million budget but only managed to corral $55 million at the box office (Box Office Mojo). The figures paint a picture of a battle lost, but the story beneath the numbers is more nuanced.
Wyatt Earp can be rented on Apple TV, while Tombstone is streaming on Paramount+.
Yellowstone is available on Peacock Premium.
